Just read a story about Britain granting spies more access to citizens' browsing history. The country has introduced a new law that grants its intelligence agencies more power to gain access to whatever citizens do on the internet. Do you think it is a great idea and would you be comfortable with big brother keeping an eye on you just in case...

Somewhat sadly, I say that it's absolutely essential for governments to spy on their citizens. First, there is all the normal spying that is involved in ordinary police-work (criminal matters with little or no political content). Then there is the more politically-linked spying on terrorists (who may be citizens) and foreign intelligence workers (who also may be citizens). In fact, the advances in technology that enable the easier use of weapons of mass destruction (biological, chemical, electronic disruptions of essential computerized networks involved in public services like water, electricity, communications and transport, various explosives, and, finally nuclear devices) make it possible for relatively-unskilled people to kill millions and cause great damage. So domestic spying is an important aspect of public safety for all citizens. The problem is to provide for proper regulation and oversight to prevent this essential spying from unnecessary breaches of human rights.